Megadeath’s signature artwork is part of the group’s marketing. (CREDIT: Megadeath.com)

The state of Illinois announced in a news release this morning (Monday, June 17, 2019) that Megadeth has cancelled most of their shows for 2019 due to a throat cancer diagnoses for front man Dave Mustaine.

Mustaine

The heavy metal band, who was set to open the State Fair on Aug. 9 and at RiverEdge Park in Aurora on Aug. 10, provided this statement from Mustaine:

“I’ve been diagnosed with throat cancer.  It’s clearly something to be respected and faced head on — but I’ve faced obstacles before.  I’m working closely with my doctors, and we’ve mapped out a treatment plan which they feel has a 90% success rate. Treatment has already begun.

“Unfortunately, this requires that we cancel most shows this year. The 2019 Megacruise will happen, and the band will be a part of it in some form. All up to date information will be at megadeth.com as we get it. Megadeth will be back on the road ASAP.”

Mustaine said he and other band members are in the studio, working on the follow up to Dystopia.

“I’m so thankful for my whole team — family, doctors, band members, trainers, and more,” he said. “I’ll keep everyone posted.”

Kevin Gordon, Illinois State Fair manager, said officials with Mustaine a full recovery and look forward to having Megadeath back to the Illinois State Fair in the future.

“While we are obviously disappointed that Megadeath won’t be playing the Illinois State Fair, our main concern is for Dave,” he said.

Customers who purchased their state fair tickets directly through www.Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster mobile app, will receive an automatic refund back to the card used to purchase the tickets.

Customers who purchased their tickets through Illinois State Fair, in-person or over the phone, will need to submit a Cancellation Refund Form with their physical tickets attached.

Refunds will not be issued without the physical tickets. A refund will be issued in the form of a check, regardless of the form of payment used to purchase the tickets, after the form and tickets have been received.

The cancellation refund form, for customers who purchased through Illinois State Fair box office directly, can be found on the website at www.illinoisstatefair.info.

Tickets for both the concert and pre-show party will be refunded.

SOURCE: state of Illinois news release